So I just lock up my 5.7 that has 200,000 miles on it so I do not want to rebuild it. I have been researching on how to mate a 2001 5.3 to the 1996 nv4500 and there are some grey areas that I need to clear up before I start ordering. I want to do this on the cheap so please don't tell me to go to Advanced adapters.
Questions
1. My 96 nv 4500 bell housing will bolt right up to the 5.3 engine? yes or no

2. I need to buy the pilot bushing that makes up for the .4" offset or buy a .4" spacer and a stock pilot bushing because of the manual trans

3. I can use a flywheel from a 2002 or newer 6.0 truck or do I need to use a 2004 gto flywheel?

4. My flywheel will need a spacer and new longer bolts for the standard trans?

5. Can I reuse the 96 pressure plate clutch and throwout bearing?

This is what I am thinking so far I can get a 5.3 form a 01 tahoe for $750 that includes everything. I will need to buy offset motor mounts for $40 off of ebay to mount the engine in my truck. I can get a 2002 6.0 flywheel from rockauto for $65 new shipped to my door. I will depin and cut up the harness myself. My friend has the software to reflash it for $100. The offset pilot bushing is $10. If I need the spacer and bolts for the flywheel Ill get it. I would really like to reuse my pressure plate, clutch and throwout bearing because they are like new with only 10 hours most on them. I should be able to plum it in myself and I already have a high pressure fuel pump so what else do I need if anything?

So any help with this would be great. If you are not sure that it will work please don't tell me that it should work I am trying to get the clearest info. I don't want to read another 26 pages about 5.3 jeeps Thanks

I used a stock 4.8/6.0 flywheel and a stock style early model clutch and pressure plate (67-99)and this pilot bearing/bushing (From GM)
Pilot bushing PN:12557583 Works great no problems at all but you need to see if you have a crank stick out or not that will be a deciding factor on the flywheel iirc.

So I just lock up my 5.7 that has 200,000 miles on it so I do not want to rebuild it. I have been researching on how to mate a 2001 5.3 to the 1996 nv4500 and there are some grey areas that I need to clear up before I start ordering. I want to do this on the cheap so please don't tell me to go to Advanced adapters.
Questions
1. My 96 nv 4500 bell housing will bolt right up to the 5.3 engine? yes or no

2. I need to buy the pilot bushing that makes up for the .4" offset or buy a .4" spacer and a stock pilot bushing because of the manual trans

3. I can use a flywheel from a 2002 or newer 6.0 truck or do I need to use a 2004 gto flywheel?

4. My flywheel will need a spacer and new longer bolts for the standard trans?

5. Can I reuse the 96 pressure plate clutch and throwout bearing?

This is what I am thinking so far I can get a 5.3 form a 01 tahoe for $750 that includes everything. I will need to buy offset motor mounts for $40 off of ebay to mount the engine in my truck. I can get a 2002 6.0 flywheel from rockauto for $65 new shipped to my door. I will depin and cut up the harness myself. My friend has the software to reflash it for $100. The offset pilot bushing is $10. If I need the spacer and bolts for the flywheel Ill get it. I would really like to reuse my pressure plate, clutch and throwout bearing because they are like new with only 10 hours most on them. I should be able to plum it in myself and I already have a high pressure fuel pump so what else do I need if anything?

So any help with this would be great. If you are not sure that it will work please don't tell me that it should work I am trying to get the clearest info. I don't want to read another 26 pages about 5.3 jeeps Thanks
This should help with the swap granted its for a 4l60.
http://www.hotrodlane.cc/PDFFILES/Lisa%20Tahoe.pdf

"you need to see if you have a crank stick out or not that will be a deciding factor on the flywheel iirc"

Do you mean if the crank is a thick flange or or thin flange?
I believe that it will be a thick flange, so I am hoping no spacer is needed? right or wrong

No 5.3s came with the long crank, only the manual 4.8s & 99-01 6.0s. You can run a 6.0 crank in a 5.3 block though.

this is what I found

Crankshaft Replacement Caution For
1998-2005 GM 4.3, 4.8, 5.3, 5.7 & 6.0L Engines

The AERA Technical Committee offers the following information on crankshaft replacement caution for 1998-2003 GM 4.3, 4.8, 5.3, 5.7 and 6.0L engines. Design changes in the flywheel flange thickness have been made to some crankshafts used in the above-mentioned engines. This bulletin is being re-published with additional information.

The later crankshafts are shorter on the flywheel flange as seen in the listing below. These changes are due to the many different vehicle / transmission combinations being built by GM.

A flywheel spacer ring GM Part #12563532 and a longer bolt set GM Part #12563533 is required when using a thin flange crankshaft to replace a thick flange crankshaft. Also, if the crankshaft is being used in a vehicle, which is a standard shift application, you also need pilot bushing GM Part #12557583 or 12479894.

Note: GM part numbers correct as of 12-18-04.

Years Liters Casting # Trans Flange Thickness

1998 early 4.3L 236, 255 V-6 1.62 thick flange
1998+up 4.3L 236, 255 V-6 1.500 thick flange
1999-2000 4.8L 312 V-8 M/T 1.250 thick flange
1999-2000 6.0L 215 V-8 1.250 thick flange
1999-2005 4.8L 482 V-8 A/T .857 thick flange
2001-2005 4.8L 482 V-8 M/T .857 thick flange
1999-2005 5.3L 216 V-8 A/T .857 thick flange
1997-2005 5.7L 216 V-8 .857 thick flange
2001-2005 6.0L 216 V-8 .857 thick flange

All GEN III crankshafts used in Camaro, Corvette and Firebird have a .857 thick flange and also have a freeze plug installed at the bottom of the pilot shaft hole. The 4.8, 5.3 + 6.0L don?t have the freeze plug. The drilled hole thru the centerline of the 5.7L LS1 & LS6 crankshafts allows a path to balance crankcase pressure within the lower crankcase. Doing so has eliminated possible oil consumption when the engine is operated over 4800 RPM.

Im still not sure because of this "A flywheel spacer ring is required when using a thin flange crankshaft to replace a thick flange crankshaft" just to clarify things what is the thick flange and what is the thin flange all 99-05 5.3s had a .875 inch "thick flange" I dont want to beat it with a stick but I would like to get all the parts that I need. so spacer or no spacer?

It will need a spacer.